I figured since it's going to be the 242nd birthday of the United States, I was wondering where did you guys and gals (if there are any here) spend the country's bicentennial (200th) birthday,

I spent mine in Hohenfels, Germany on field maneuvers. command issued a stand-down for that day so units could gather together. that night we fired off parachute flares our platoon had in a celebration, except for the red ones. seemed like other units in the training area had the same idea.

I was at the USMC ball in dress blues at Pendleton. A hell of a time. Then on the 5th, I had to stand duty NCO at Del Mar. Like a crazy person, I extended my second tour.
I should have stayed in, but then would have missed my archaeology life. Life takes some crazy turns.

To old to fight and to old to run, a Jar head will just shoot and be done with you.

I was stationed in San Diego on-board a brand new destroyer, the USS Hewitt DD-966. We represented the Navy's newest warship and were mored downtown. The Tall Ships were in port as well as many NATO ships. If my memory is working there were at least 50 ships from all over the world pus many of our nations ships. Carriers,Cruisers, Amphibs , Army craft and SEAL boats etc.
My ship fired a Red White and Blue basketball at noon out of one of our disappearing torpedo tubes at the waterline. The ball skipped across San Diego harbor for several hundred yards.
The celebration was really something to see.
We held "Tour Ship" and there had been over 10,000 visitors that day. I volunteered to be one of the guides and never had a free moment.
The fireworks that night were something you'd never forget and we had the best seat int he house.
We were allowed to have family and friends on board and the ships decks were packed with folks watching all the events.
It was good to be an American that day.

Tin Can Sailor
'Nam Vet
NRA Endowment Member
President New Mexico Military Surplus Rifle Pistol Shooters

I hadn't move to the U.S.yet, so it wasn't a holiday in the U.K. which meant I was working.
I was somewhere in Brittany or Normandy as that was my week to go there for work & to pick up new customers.
It really was one of those "16 countries in 10 days & 7 nights" things!

Wow let's see, I was 9 years old, we were stationed at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho at the time. So we were downtown Mountain Home watching the parade, then we went to an oldie drive in hamburger joint before heading back to the base.

Now the weird part, I remember firework shows prior to Idaho (Spain) and after Idaho (Okinawa), but damn if I can recall seeing fireworks while in Idaho.

enjoy it while you still can. because getting old is no picnic. once they start sending you AARP applications, and funeral homes send you brochures about their "pay now, and be buried later plans" your days are numbered